I have done an interpreting job for an English agency in July. Although I had a contract with them and I invoiced them (also I know that the client paid for the services) the agency has not paid me. I have insisted and they ignore my messages and calls.
Is there a body in the UK that can respond to cases like that and can push the vendor of services to pay freelance translators/interpreters? What should I do?

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Although I have been trying to get my first job with a Translator Agency, I have felt really bad about their payment policies and also they tend to send payments after 30 or even 60 days after delivery.

So, how can I know I'll be paid?? There is no garantee whatsoever that I will

I feel really insecure about working for a Translator Agency. I like to work with private clients better. The deadlines are longer anyways.

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This would be the best way of getting paid. You should search the forums as there are have been several discussions regarding small claims. Feel free to contact me privately if you need any further help,

Andy

PS I've just noticed you're resident in the UK so this is easily the best option. Contact the agency, tell them you'll be starting a small claims action within x days (invoices must be paid after 30 days according to UK company law and I suppose that period has passed) and then wait. If they still don't pay, the claim can be done on-line (takes about 20 minutes) and should be resolved within two to three weeks. If you win, all fees and interest are added to the amount owed.

[Edited at 2008-10-16 12:06]

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Hi,
the sad scenario explained above is a thing that lots of agencies like to play....

Unfortunately, to my knowledge and at least in France, there is no sure protection against it (true, there are some blue boards and black lists, but can we really prevent some "truant" agency from writing a wonderful comment about themselves under another identity???)

The same as you explain happened to me last month, and last year a german agency did the same to me (but that agency they said me "if you wanna be paid then you have the right to dream"...as they were abroad I have not been able to sue them.... ) ....

I think such a practice (ignoring mails and phone calls is a "good" strategy for them : as they give no sign of life at all then they think they won't be able to be charged for "contract breaking" ...... I think such agencies should be denounced publicly.... But the law seems to be different and not always in accordance with practical situations.... So i Think I "have the right to dream"..... -)

However I have heard a european law would come into force in december 2008, which would counter the "ghostly disappearing bad payers" from every EU country... can anyone confirm?

That is at least my opinion...

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(true, there are some blue boards and black lists, but can we really prevent some "truant" agency from writing a wonderful comment about themselves under another identity???)

Not 100%, but you should be aware that every Blue Board entry is vetted by a team of ProZ.com moderators. When we see a suspicious entry (brand new user profile, unclear comment, etc.), we look into this. I'd say we catch most attempts for self-rating, but naturally, not all of them.

The same as you explain happened to me last month, and last year a german agency did the same to me (but that agency they said me "if you wanna be paid then you have the right to dream"...as they were abroad I have not been able to sue them.... ) ....

You have access to a court-based dunning procedure, at least as a first step - search the forum for "Zentrales Mahngericht".

Best regards,
Ralf

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I have written a comment about this company in the Blue Board, for my surprise it seems I am not the only one in this position.
The worse case scenario is when I did a translation for an american agency and they still owe me 1000 dolars. Moreover the agency disappeared, so I have no chance to chase them.

In the case of the UK agency, I am aware that their client (the one I went to do the interpreting job) has paid them 70% more money than what they still owe me, since I gathered this information in an informal meeting after compliting the job. So they have got the money, but they do not want to pay me for my job.

Just unbelievable,

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Luisa Ramos, CTUnited States Local time: 22:02Member (2004) English to Spanish

Check BB record before accepting job

Oct 16, 2008

It is one of the features available to you as a full member. That is what it is there for.

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Dr. Andrew Frankland wrote:
Contact the agency, tell them you'll be starting a small claims action within x days

Just make sure you send it by recorded delivery, and keep copies of all correspondence. I've just applied to the small claims court here in France, with success. The good news is that there will by a Europe-wide system in place soon.

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Yes I guess the strategy of such agencies consists in making us renounce to our wish to be paid, using several strategies to "discourage" us , such as saying our text was "bad " (and paying not the totality but a percentage......a not very honest strategy.....), or profiting from the geographical distance, thinking we would think it is difficult/ impossible to sue them abroad...

Sheila, have you got further informations about this project for France? ( I ve heard of it , it was to take into force next december...but since then I got no further informations....))

Thanks

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Pilar Caballero-Alías wrote:
The worse case scenario is when I did a translation for an american agency and they still owe me 1000 dolars. Moreover the agency disappeared, so I have no chance to chase them.

According to American laws, money owed and unpaid is taxable income. I mean, if Mr. Smith owes you $ 1,000 and doesn't pay, he had a $ 1,000 income, and should pay taxes on that. I'd bet he didn't mention that in his income tax return, so he's in debt with Uncle Sam too.

If you search the web you'll find a lawyer in Chicago, IL, who sells a complete package with everything you need to do it. But you may find the information and the specific form to snitch on Smith to the IRS (US). The result is that auditors will go over all his income tax returns with a magnifying glass, and start an investigation on who else he owes money to, on which he should have paid income tax.

By simply explaining the client your awareness of all this, most American debtors pay on the same or next day. Nobody in any country wants their tax statements scrutinized by government auditors.

One client in the USA was procrastinating my payment for maybe six months. The day I wrote her about all this, I got paid right away.

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Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.